As I walk into my house, I have never desired a warm shower as much as I do now. After umpiring two games of junior footy this morning, it feels awesome to defrost. However, not long for the shower, the Hawkers are playing! It’s 3 o’clock and I am already in my pyjamas sitting on the couch waiting for the ball to be bounced. The Hawks made two changes this week. Cyril has headed up north for a family funeral and the youngster Kade Stewart has been dropped. In comes key back Kaiden Brand and the skipper Hodgey. The Gold Coast (who will definitely be feeling the cold today!) have made four changes. Jack Martin is a late out with a back injury, replaced by Matt Shaw. Kade Kolodjashnij has a concussion, Sean Lemmens has injured his hammy and Jesse Lonergan has an illness and is choosing to stay in the warmth. They bring in ex-Bulldog Jarrod Grant, a late replacement in wavy haired Matt Shaw, former Hawk Mitch Hallahan and star Aaron Hall who had spent the previous fortnight in the NEAFL.

The Hawks have changed their traditional golden stripes for pink today, to support the Cancer Council Tasmania awareness program. But, jerseys and lineups aside, Hawthorn could not have asked for a better start. Shaun Burgoyne gets the centre clearance and kicks it to a pack with Jack Gunston the beneficiary kicking a goal in the first 15 seconds of the game. The Suns manage to stem the bleeding though, and even get in front of the Hawkers courtesy of goals from Peter Wright and Brandon Matera. Jordan Lewis kicks truly from a set shot and the margin is cut back to two points. But then Gary Ablett aka the ‘Little Master’ slips a number of tackles and kicks a brilliant goal. Damn. This wasn’t meant to happen. To end the quarter, Tom Lynch kicks his first after taking a number of fantastic marks. At the first break, the Suns lead us Hawkers by 15 points. On a positive note though, Ablett has 50 SuperCoach points as my captain for the round!

As the 10km winds blast through Launceston Tom Lynch clunks another one, this time, right on the goal line. The underdogs now lead by 21 points! Thankfully, Billy Hartung and James Sicily kick goals for the Hawks and the margin is slashed back to 9 points. Fast forward eight minutes and the difference is less than a goal. The Hawks look like hitting the front until Hodgey is caught holding the ball and Sam Day converts. As Paul Puopolo misses a snap the rain begins belting down. Combine that with the 10km wind and you get some pretty brave supporters standing on the sidelines. But they sure did get a treat when Sicily took a big pack mark and kicked another goal. At the main break, its 40-41 and unfortunately the game has been set up for an interesting second half.

The third quarter begins with a handful of missed opportunities for the Suns and they eventually pay at the 9 minute mark when Jonathon Ceglar kicks his first of the day. The third quarter is a low quality one, with both sides going at less than 50 percent efficiency. As I go to the AFL website to check the stats, I learn that half way through the quarter, the Suns only have six players with an effective kick. Just the one more goal in the quarter as Luke Breust capitalizes on some Sam Mitchell magic! A half volley out of mid air that results in a goal assist! As the siren sounds to end the quarter, I feel a little relieved but disappointed at the same time. I thought we may be able to improve our percentage today but instead we have given them a slim chance of winning the game!

At the beginning of the fourth term, Tom Lynch snags another before Brad Hill kicks a long running goal from 50 metres. However, when Jarrod Harbrow’s soccer goal goes through, I begin doubting my team again. It is only when Sicily, Burgoyne and Taylor Duryea kick the next three do I know, the game is won. Today, the Hawks came out 26 point winners and because of the Saints winning last night, we go to the top of the table! Go Hawks!

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